The 49ers are going to be this past year's Packers. I wouldn't be shocked to see this much improved San Francisco team make a surprise run out of the NFC.

Huh? If by that you mean they'll be good next year, I'd get it, but they're nothing like the Packers. The Packers were a team that ended 8-8 two seasons ago with a team built mostly through the draft, that went out and signed nobody last off-season, and was then led by a Hall of Fame QB and the youngest roster in the NFL to a 13-3 season where different unhearlded offensive players played huge roles in the season. The 49ers are not even remotely like that.

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED WITH JOHNSON: Since there's been a wide range of opinions on what Johnson would have brought to the Bills had he signed here, and whether the team really wanted him or whether he really wanted to play for Buffalo, I'll outline how things went down between him and the team. The Bills made him a multi-year offer which was very competitive and would have rewarded him further had he produced like a number two receiver.

The Johnson camp was looking for a contract similar to what Donte Stallworth (7-$35M-$10M guaranteed) or Jerry Porter (6-$30M-$10M guaranteed) received in terms of pay per season ($5M per year). The problem is Johnson has never had a 50-catch season, never had a 5 TD reception season and only once has had a season of over 600 receiving yards.

Stallworth has had two seasons of better than 50 catches, 2 seasons of more than 5 TD receptions and 4 seasons of better than 600 yards receiving.

Porter has had three seasons of better than 50 catches, 4 seasons of more than 5 TD receptions and 4 seasons of better than 600 yards receiving.

Sure Johnson can say he had less opportunity as a #3 WR, but you have to do it before teams will pay you like the guys that have. No other team was offering him a multi-year deal in the Stallworth, Porter territory.

At that point the Johnson camp decided they wanted a one-year deal. Buffalo does not give one-year deals to 26-year old players. They are trying to build something over the long haul. A one-year deal doesn't help the team. If they signed Johnson to a one-year deal and he has a big year, then re-signing the player becomes difficult, he signs elsewhere for crazy money and the Bills would be in the same boat they're in now in terms of filling the #2 receiver role.

So by late Thursday the chances of Johnson signing in Buffalo were slim to none. The Johnson camp found a team willing to offer a one-year deal in San Francisco and that's how it ended.

Tampa was never in the mix.

I also don't get the sense at all that the Bills feel not signing Johnson is in any way a setback for the club. He was a viable option they considered to fill a need and they now explore other options, which in my opinion is primarily the draft. There's nothing of any great interest on the free agent market.
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Interesting choice by Johnson... I'm not sure how he would fit in a Mike Martz offense, but we will see.

One thing for sure is that the kid has talent, and was as good a 3rd wideout (Not slot, but 3rd WR) on a team as anyone.

He struggled in Arizona namely due to the fact that he was never able to get into a rhythm. It's hard coming on for a play, out for two, in for two, out for one, in for three, out, etc....

However, he can run good routes, is quick enough and has good hands to make the difficult catch... If he can get into a rhythm, he will earn that big payday he wants, although I can equally understand Buffalo's reluctance to give it to him.

Interesting choice by Johnson... I'm not sure how he would fit in a Mike Martz offense, but we will see.

One thing for sure is that the kid has talent, and was as good a 3rd wideout (Not slot, but 3rd WR) on a team as anyone.

He struggled in Arizona namely due to the fact that he was never able to get into a rhythm. It's hard coming on for a play, out for two, in for two, out for one, in for three, out, etc....

However, he can run good routes, is quick enough and has good hands to make the difficult catch... If he can get into a rhythm, he will earn that big payday he wants, although I can equally understand Buffalo's reluctance to give it to him.

Up until this year he was alway on the field, he just never took advantage of it, yes he was the 3rd option but he was probably open the most too due to teams doubling Quan and Fitz, even to the point where he was being covered by LBs, he has talent but I don't think he has the mentality to be a stud WR, he need to get nastier and fight for positioning and the ball. Martz as a coach won't help him do that

This is bittersweet. On one hand, this isn't a bad signing since it provides us depth at the receiver position and gives us more freedom in the draft. On the other hand, Jason Hill is going to be buried on the depth chart, unless he does marvelous in training camp and in the preseason. Of course, that would be great.

Good signing by the Niners and by Bryant. The niners need depth at wr no matter how you cut it. I wouldn't rely on Jackson and Bruce to be there for all 16 games and they need talent for Nolan to keep his job.

Bryant signed with a team where he has a legit shot at competing for a starting position because he is reunited with his old wr coach. Bryant knows Sullivan covets wrs that have good size and are reliable route runners over guys who are flashier and have big play ability (see Lelie, Hill) but are inconsistent. Plus Sullivan also seems to favor "his guys" (former players he coached such as Morton, Gilmore). Also the Martz offense is one of the few that allows the even the 3rd wr to get his fair share of catches, so if he can't win a starting job he still has a shot to put up good numbers and get a bigger contract.

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